Polyether glycols and alcohols derived from 3,4-epoxy-1-butene

Abstract

Disclosed are novel saturated polyether compounds comprised of n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein (i) residues (1) and (2) have the structures: ##STR1## (ii) the total value of n+m is 2 to 70 and m/(n+m) is 0.05 to 0.98; (ii) at least 98 percent of the terminal hydroxyl groups of the polyether have the structure: ##STR2## The polyethers are obtained by first polymerizing 3,4-epoxy-1-butene to produce unsaturated polyether precursors comprising residues (1A) and (2A) having the structures: ##STR3## and then hydrogenating the unsaturated polyether precursors. The hydrogenation advantageously is performed in the presence of a nickel hydrogenation catalyst.

We claim: 
     
       1. A polyether containing terminal hydroxyl groups comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein (i) residues (1) and (2) have the structures: ##STR13## (ii) the total value of n+m is 2 to 70 and m/(n+m) is 0.05 to 0.98; (iii) at least 98 percent of the terminal hydroxyl groups of the polyether have the structure: ##STR14## and (iv) residues (1) and (2) constitute at least 80 weight percent of the polyether. 
     
     
       2. A polyether according to claim 1 wherein the total value of n+m is 7 to 50 and m/(n+m) is 0.05 to 0.30. 
     
     
       3. A polyether containing terminal hydroxyl groups comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein (i) residues (1) and (2) have the structures: ##STR15## (ii) the total value of n+m is 7 to 50 and m/(n+m) is 0.15 to 0.30; (iii) at least 98 percent of the terminal groups of the polyether have the structure: ##STR16## (iv) the polyether has a polydispersity value of 1 to 2.5; and residues (1) and (2) constitute at least 80 weight percent of the polyether. 
     
     
       4. A polyether comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein (i) residues (1) and (2) have the structures: ##STR17## (ii) the total value of n+m is 7 to 50 and m/(n+m) is 0.30 to 0.75; (iii) at least 99 percent of the terminal groups of the polyether have the structure: ##STR18## and (iv) residues (1) and (2) constitute at least 90 weight percent of the polyether. 
     
     
       5. A polyether comprising n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein (i) residues (1) and (2) have the structures: ##STR19## (ii) the total value of n+m is 7 to 50 and m/(n+m) is 0.75 to 0.98; (iii) at least 98 percent of the terminal groups of the polyether have the structure: ##STR20## and (iv) residues (1) and (2) constitute at least 90 weight percent of the polyether.